Local sources called it the largest Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) defection yet in Jur River County, days after reported clashes with government troops. The shift unfolded Wednesday at Grinti Military Base in Wau.

Largest Jur River Defection

At least 2,171 SPLA-IO troops in Western Bahr el Ghazal’s Jur River County defected to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Wednesday, October 24 2025, in what sources described as the county’s biggest opposition switch to date. The reception took place at Grinti Military Base in Wau under the SSPDF’s 5th Infantry Division.

Government Welcomes Integration

Division Commander Maj. Gen. Jiel Mangok Yel praised the move and linked it to service delivery, saying insecurity had blocked government and NGO operations. He urged discipline among the new arrivals — “if you are told to sleep under these mango trees, you have to accept it” — and said the Juba headquarters would handle “immediate reintegration” without altering the defectors’ ranks.

“Our Country Only Needs One Army”

Western Bahr el Ghazal Deputy Governor Zackaria Joseph Garang told the formations, “Your decision is encouraging because our country only needs one army,” adding that “there is no more SPLA-IO in Jur River County.” He asked the defectors to persuade remaining comrades — named as Bol Wek, Tawal Tawal, and Kuol Monybut — to join them.

Commanders And Units Named

The defectors were led by six major generals: Lino Uraya Madut, Santino Buong Bol, James Pinyi Madut, Santino Nyiyuo Maker, Santino Amor Majok, and Paulino Madut. Forces mainly hailed from greater Roc-roc dong, Kuajiena, and Alur payams — three local administrative areas where SPLA-IO’s Division 6(A) was stationed. Officials said few SPLA-IO troops remain in the state after this transfer.

Service Delivery Rationale

Gen. Mangok argued that consolidating armed forces would enable long-delayed “delivery of services” to citizens after years of insecurity. He said his office would not interfere with the new entrants’ ranks while Juba processed the paperwork, framing the defection as a step toward stability across Western Bahr el Ghazal.